Better shape up

Better shape up

At present only David Miliband has sufficient nominations from Labour MPs to run for the leadership (Letters, 24 May). It's important that there is the widest choice of candidates when nominations close on 9 June to ensure a thoroughgoing policy debate within Labour and among the wider public. To ensure this surely the Labour whips could make sure that a sufficient number of MPs (33) nominate each of the six declared candidates, including John McDonnell and Diane Abbott. To exclude any of the six would deny the Labour members a real political choice and would risk repeating the "coronation" of Gordon Brown.

Peter Walker

Wimbledon Labour party

• Diane Darby gives Diane Abbott some justifiable praise. But she fails to point out that Abbott has supported the private fee-paying school system, has enriched herself through her TV appearances and so reinforces inequality, and, like all the other possible candidates save one, has a privileged Oxbridge background. That one is John McDonnell and I want the option of voting for him, a genuine socialist, as the new Labour leader.

Bob Holman

Glasgow

• You explain that "Naked" shorting (Naked ban exposed, 21 May) is when a trader does not own or borrow the financial instrument they are selling. Surely "fraudulent" would be a better adjective. Well done Angela Merkel for stopping it in Berlin; time for Cameron to stop it in London and Obama in New York.

Michael Bassey

Newark, Nottinghamshire

• While I agree that Greece is the word (Letters, 24 May), I can't be alone in thinking they'd better shape up.

Andy Stubbings

Aberford, West Yorkshire

• I still love Ernest Bevin's quote about the Council of Europe: "If you open that Pandora's Box, you never know what Trojan 'orses will jump out."

James Nelmes

Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

• Our whitebeam is in flower and is undoubtedly the most beautiful tree in Britain. Do any other trees approach it?